Building relationships off-screen and listening to what people need is driving increased engagement with Turkish viewers. Presenter Şemsa Deniz Bakır explained how a different approach is opening up new opportunities to help Turks with their life challenges and support them on a journey of faith.
“This year, we wanted to work differently,” said Şemsa, who presents women’s talk show Homemade. Her husband Kanıvar presents devotional program Encouragement Hour, and the pair also participate in each other’s programs from time to time.
“We’re not just producing and broadcasting what we want, but listening to what our viewers need,” she said. “When we focus on creating content we personally want to produce, we don’t always see results. But when we respond to what our viewers are asking for, we open up opportunities to share the Gospel with them.”
This new approach is being well received by viewers, who are now interacting much more with the programs. “An established audience has been watching for years,” Şemsa says. “But we are now seeing new viewers engage with both programs, and we now receive at least 100 comments per day.” The age range of viewers has also expanded, from young people in their twenties through older people in their seventies.
Giving Viewers a Voice
Homemade and Encouragement Hour serve different needs: the former is more focused on daily life challenges and practical advice on issues such as healthcare and domestic violence, while the latter provides biblical teaching and addresses spiritual needs. Homemade broadcasts live every weekday; Encouragement Hour has recently increased the length and frequency of its broadcasts from three 30-minute episodes per week to five 60-minute episodes.
Both programs are giving a platform to viewers who want to share their views and experiences of life and faith. “Since early 2025, we have been conducting more street interviews, giving people a voice to share their struggles,” Şemsa says. “We have been engaging with young college students who are struggling with feelings of hopelessness, and we want to start visiting schools to speak with parents about the challenges they face.”
Şemsa and Kanıvar have sensed a desire for two-way dialogue among their viewers and for deeper connections with the channel. “People want to talk – they want to be heard,” she explains. “Many recognize SAT-7 TÜRK, and those who don’t often ask for contact details so they can be notified when our programs are on TV.”
Building Connections
Building and maintaining fruitful connections with viewers off screen is vital for the SAT-7 TÜRK team.
Encouragement Hour viewers like Sevda have been expressing their gratitude: “I have been a follower of your channel for many years. I thank you very much for your messages and your close attention.”
Homemade episodes on Facebook regularly receive thousands of views and up to a hundred comments. One viewer wrote: “This beautiful program of yours is a great encouragement and blessing for us, especially for me. I need it a lot right now.”
Feedback from viewers gives Şemsa a sense of clarity about her future. “It’s not about the job, it’s about the relationships,” she says. “If something on our end isn’t working, we must stop and focus on caring for these people.”
